A healthy weight improves your life in so many ways, including physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Changing your eating habits should be a gradual process. Don’t be tempted to make drastic changes overnight or fall into the trap of making common dieting mistakes. Small, day-to-day changes will have a much bigger and more long-lasting effect.

Here are some common questions asked about weight loss:

Don’t genetics affect weight?

Absolutely, but you have to manage your weight within that. Work with the hand you’ve been dealt; for example, being big-boned is no excuse for being 100 pounds overweight. Accept that you have some extra challenges — and that you’ll probably never be stick-thin — but don’t let that be your excuse.

How many meals are recommended per day?

I recommend having between 6-7 small meals throughout the day. Small portions of healthy food will fuel your body with the appropriate nutrients on a balanced basis.

My friend lost weight; why didn’t her strategy work for me?

Everyone has different challenges, different resources and different gifts. Consequently, people must develop different strategies to accommodate their schedules. Find out what gives you results — and don’t quit if it doesn’t seem apparent right away.

What if I just really like food?

Just about everybody likes the taste of food, but you have to develop the maturity to balance your intake. Control the quality and the amount of what you eat.

How many calories are recommended per day?

I recommend 1200 calories for women and 1800 calories for men.

I can’t seem to get my appetite in check. What’s wrong?

If you’re overweight, then you’re out of control. That’s not a natural place to be. You’re out of control with your impulses, your life or your schedule. Evaluate your behaviors, anticipate your personal challenges and restore balance.

Why do I keep slipping into my old habits?

You can’t break habits without forming new ones. If you take something out of your life, there’s a void. And when there’s a void, it’s easy to drift back to what you used to do. You need to replace the bad habit with new, incompatible behavior that will crowd the bad behavior out.

Does drinking water help with weight loss?

Absolutely! I recommend 64oz of water per day. Water will help keep your system flushed while at the same time carrying nutrients throughout your body.

Some individuals may require more help than others. At Figure Weight Loss, we provide dedicated support helping patients achieve a healthy weight both for the short term and long term.

Dr. Greg Weckenbrock / Figure Weight Loss

Dr. Weckenbrock is the Medical Director of Figure Weight Loss, the leading weight management program in the Ohio Valley since 1999. Dr. Weckenbrock is a native of the Greater Cincinnati area. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Kentucky College Of Medicine in 1982. He is a board certified Family Physician and a Diplomat of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He has 34 years of private practice experience and specializes in preventive care through weight loss.